Improvement in pipe-tongs



W. CAMPBELL.

Improvement in Pipe-Tongs.

Patented Aug. 6,1872

$1155.12) QEMM UNIT D "STATES PATENT OFFIcE.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL, on QUINCY, ILLINOIS.

' IMPROVEMENT IN PlPE-TONGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 130,278, dated August6, 1872.

. the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing.

Nature and Objects of the Invention.

The invention relates to an improvement in pipe-tongs, and consists inproviding one of the handles thereof with a slot, into which the otherhandle partially enters when the tongs are closed, and in which suchhandle is pivoted the latter handle being provided near its extremitywith a recess, in which a movable die is secured, one edge of whichcomes in contact with the pipe when the tongs are closed. The object ofthe invention is to prevent the cauting of the handles of pipe-tongs,and to furnish-the same with a means of changing the grasping-edge ofthe tool.

Description of the Accompanying Drawing.

General Description.

Ain the accompanying drawing is a bar of metal or other suitablematerial, having a curve near its upper part, which part terminates in ahook, B, curving toward the opposite end of the bar, the extremity ofthe hook being reduced' to an edge. This bar A is provided with a slot,0, extending laterally through its center from a point near its lowerend to about where the curve of the hook B begins, the upper. end of theslot being properly inclined. The bolt D pivots the bar or handle E inthe slot 0 in the handle or bar A, by which arrangement the canting ofthe handles is prevented. Those parts of the handles A and E below thebolt D are about equal in length, but the latter handle is of suchthickness as that it can readily enter the slot 0. Those parts of thehandle E adjacent to the bolt D are properly curved, the handleterminating in a head of such' dimensions as to prevent its passingthrough the slot 0. Near the extremity of the handle E, and in that partthereof opposite the hook B, is provided an angular recess, F, in whichis placed the die H, the recess being of such dimensions as that whenthe tongs are closed upon a pipe the upper edge of the exposed surfaceof the die H shall come in contact with the surface of the pipe and thushold it securely between the hook B and the edge of the die H. To eifectthis, that A part of the handle E above the bolt Dshould be shorter thanthe corresponding part of the handle A. The die H consists of a piece ofmetal of a cubical form. This die is provided with three holes orapertures, ac, passing directly through its center from the centers ofits surfaces, and is held in position by a pin, L, which passes throughthe walls of the recess F and one of the apertures in the die H. It isobvious that the tongs may be made adjustable, so as to be used onalarger or small er sized pipe, by providing the handles A and E withcorresponding apertures, through which the bolt D may be passed as apivot; for, as the pivot D is removed from the upper ends of thehandles, the grasping capacity of the tongs is increased, and viceversa. It is also plain that the recess F may be shaped so as to havegreater length than width, and its walls being provided withcorresponding apertures the die H may be adjusted in such recess to suitthe service required, and aiford as it is moved from or toward the upperend of the handle E, respectively, a greater or less grasping capacity.The 'superficies of the recess should conform to the shape of the dieemployed so far as to afford bearing-surfaces on its rear top' and lowerinside edges.

Operation.

Open the tongs, place the hook B about the pipe to be manipulated, closethe tongs. This brings the upper edge or corner of the die H directly incontact with the pipe, presses against the hook B, and holds the pipeimmovably. Turn the tongs in the desired direction as far'as required,open the handles, move the tongs to their former position. Thus, by arepetition of these movements the object of the employment of the tongsis accomplished.

It will be perceived that by this operation of moving the tongs thesurface of the die H is exposed to attrition, and thus the graspingedgethereof is kept sharp. When the die becomes worn, or its grasping-edgedulled, it is only necessary to remove the pin L and turn the die so asto present a different edge, and then replace the pin, thus renewing thegrasping edge of the device.

Claims.

'What I cl im as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. The reversible cubical die H, provided with the apertures 00, for theuses and purposes shown and described.

2. The handle. A, provided with the slot 0,

into which the handle E passes in closing, substantially as and for theuses and purposes shown and described.

Witnesses WILLIAM N. RENTFROW, Tnos. T. WOODRUFF.

